Cosby
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 212 recorded births. Also given to 23 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A village and civil parish in Blaby district, Leicestershire, England .
Cosby is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from an English place name and surname derived from the village of Cosby in Leicestershire, England — possibly from an Old Norse personal name combined with -by (settlement), meaning 'Kossabi's farm.'
Cosby was most prominently associated with comedian Bill Cosby and the enormously popular 1980s sitcom The Cosby Show. As a given name it carries complex cultural history. Its place-name roots give it a solid English origin independent of its more recent associations.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Cosby belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Old English naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Old English names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Cosby’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Cosby has 28+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1914.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 6 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 18 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 22 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 53 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 65 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 43 | — |
The Story of Cosby
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1917, Cosby is a name steeped in history. Boys named Cosby are most likely born between 1914 and 1927.
How rare is Cosby?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Cosby is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1914, peaked in the 1920s with 65 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Cosby by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(28 years, 1914–1975)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 6 | #4915 |
| 1968 | 5 | #4240 |
| 1959 | 5 | #4103 |
| 1955 | 7 | #3253 |
| 1954 | 6 | #3520 |
| 1949 | 5 | #3790 |
| 1947 | 6 | #3440 |
| 1942 | 5 | #3661 |
| 1941 | 6 | #3208 |
| 1939 | 7 | #2882 |
| 1937 | 7 | #2961 |
| 1936 | 7 | #2927 |
| 1935 | 9 | #2570 |
| 1933 | 10 | #2401 |
| 1932 | 5 | #3882 |
| 1930 | 8 | #3076 |
| 1928 | 12 | #2420 |
| 1927 | 9 | #2953 |
| 1925 | 12 | #2465 |
| 1924 | 9 | #3071 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Cosby as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Cosby has also been given to 23 girls in the U.S. since 1908.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cosby a boy's or girl's name?
When was Cosby most popular?
How popular is the name Cosby?
Can Cosby be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1914–1975